Minos Imperial Luxury Beach Resort & Spa

2 readers found this review helpful

As I work in the travel industry and often hear back from customers who have looked on review websites after booking their holiday I feel that I must write in my own experience of this Hotel which I believe is a true and accurate report.
Upon arrival at the hotel we were greeted by the a most friendly member of the reception staff who checked us in swiftly and gave us as much info as possible and informed us that they had kept the restaurant open for us (we didn’t arrive at the hotel until 23.45 so this was totally unexpected!).
Once we had checked in our luggage was taken for us by the porter straight to our room. We had been given a VIP suite (upgraded!) and upon entry was amazed at how big and clean the room was. We had two bathrooms and 2 separate sleeping areas with a large balcony that overlooked the sea. The rooms had all you could want i.e. tea and coffee making facilities, 2 televisions with international sky, plenty on wardrobes space and loads of towels for our use too.
I cannot explain to you how good the maids are at this hotel-they keep it immaculate and everyday even arranged my daughters nightie into a different arrangement on the bed everyday.
The food in the hotel is good-don’t get me wrong it is not ala carte every night but there is plenty to chose from inc salads, fish, chicken etc, there is plenty to chose form and you cant find anything that you like then you must be extremely picky!
You have waiter service at the tables for drinks and with the all inc can have as much as you like. The Chinese restaurant is absolutely amazing and I had probably the nicest meal here, again plenty to chose from and cooked fresh (you can see the chef cooking it from where you are sat). What I thought was nice is that is was actually a Chinese person cooking it rather that a Greek chef.
The Italian restaurant again in fantastic, you get 5 courses and the only problem I had was that they brought the courses out a bit too quick, I was stuffed!
If you are all inc then you can use the Italian and Chinese once per stay. We went to the bbq night on the Wednesday and I must say I thought it was a bit of a rip off! You paid something like 19 euros pp for this and again the food was great but as we were already all inc I don’t think you should pay for the privilege of eating the food by the pool. They did have entertainment though so I suppose it isn’t all that bad really; Greek dancing, plate smashing and a firework display.
The drinks are good on All inc too-you actually get glasses and not plastic cups! The pool areas are stunning and again if you can’t find a pool that you like then you have a problem! There are plenty to chose from. We stayed at the animation pool and it was great. There are adult only pools too so there really is something for everyone. The beach is nice too, gorgeous clear sea and you can even go fishing (but a little net from the hotel shop and take a plastic cup from the bar). It is pebbly but as long as you wear flip flops you are ok! Again plenty of sun bed/Umbrellas etc. The hotel is quite hilly in places but if you do have walking difficulties just call reception and they will send the golf cart to pick you up. Nothing is too much trouble.
The one gripe I did have is the entertainment, it’s not good, unless you are German. They have a kids disco but they are mostly foreign songs, the shows aren’t that good either, we were laughing at then and not with them!
All in all this hotel is more like a 4 star really, you have to remember thought standards in Greece and completely different to our ratings. If you want a hotel to get away from it all in lovely surrounding then this is the place to be if you are looking for a lively hotel then go to Malia!

2 readers found this review helpful

In May 2006 we went to Minos Imperial Beach Resort for the second time. Once again we were not disappointed. Standards were still extremely high if not improved.
Since our first visit they have built new accommodation which is absolutely fantastic with indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis, plasma televisions etc. The complex is spacious and spotless, cleanliness seemed to be of their top priorities with maids cleaning from dawn to dusk.
We stayed on an all inclusive basis which was very good value for money. Plenty of swimming pools one of which is specially designed for children with a large boat and mini water slide in the pool. All of the restaurants serve excellent food and staff go out of their way to help you. One point you will need to hire a car if you want to visit the island.
Wonderful relaxing holiday. We have never been to the same place for the third time but we will be going back!

I did not discover all the negative comments about this company until it was too late and just cannot believe they are able to continue the way they do.
I booked what was described both on their website and verbally by the sales staff as a luxury 5* hotel with spa.
The level of service and the whole experience were absolutely appalling and never in a million years can this be described as a 5* luxury hotel. Sunstar say Greek standard is different, I beg to differ having stayed in correctly categorised 5* in Greece. To give an idea of how frugal and unhygienic they were, any part used bottled water from tables was saved, then they would fill carafes up for the so called SPECIAL restaurant downstairs. Not really surprised now that 6 days were spent with food poisoning.
Major problems were:
Rudeness by most of staff.
Same food every meal time and substandard for a 3* let alone 5 allowed a special meal once a week in poolside restaurant. Described as a superb 4 course fish speciality, when I tried to give my cutlery back after the first course the waiter placed it back for my remaining courses!
Hotel and accommodation in need of repair and a good clean.
Broken unlit paths back to our room.
Sunstar misleading over late checkouts and in reality this was a 13 night holiday costing us a 100 euros for late check out.
Trying to phone Sunstar for assistance back in UK ( as no local rep was available for the 2 weeks ) they didn’t even call back and left us to check travel back to the airport if we hadn’t we would be still there waiting for Sunstar to do so.
They cannot be allowed to carry on this way. Not to sound pompous but if you have not been to a 5* hotel I can see how some have left positive comments but I would defy anyone to give a positive review on The Minos Imperial Luxury Beach Resort or SUNSTAR LEISURE.

2 readers found this review helpful

The Resort premises are gloriously glamorous and absolutely spotlessly clean. Milatos is a fishing village. You must use a hire car or go on organised 'trips' - or stay within the resort of course - too far to walk to much other than the fishing village. Only stay 'all in' - everyone else is, but it was very expensive to upgrade subsequent to arrival - much better value offered over the phone before departure. Pretty bleak for us as it was the last week of their season and almost all the bungalows (which are just large rooms) were packed away, pool heating off, entertainers gone away on their hols etc. Must be fab. Earlier in the year when there are other people there.
Very multi national and all guests seemed very nice - we were very comfortable with the multi-lingual aspect. Much care given to younger children with excellent facilities (high chairs, play areas, special paddling pool with lots to do etc). Not so much for bigger kids - though perhaps not necessary. Ours spent hours on the ping pong table playing with German and French kids - no words needed just batting ability. Worth hiring the car and speeding off into Cretan villages for a change from all the polished marble, red carpet and chandeliers - all cleaners very cheery.
Some of the restaurant staff grumpy - but we all have bad days. Don't need to visit again, but I'm glad I’ve stayed there and had the pleasure of walking through the glass doors into the 'film-set' reception area - it was a great experience.